(From company literature) Manfrotto 482 Micro Ball Head. New to the Manfrotto range of Ballheads and also the tiniest, the 482 Micro Ball Head replaces the 3434 Micro Ball Head and 3009 Mini Ball Head.

An all-purpose ball head designed for use with compact, 35mm and small digital cameras, the 482 stands at just over 2 inches tall and is rated to support loads over 4 lbs! This head is ideal for the 3007 Table Top Tripod, 3292 Car Window Clamp, and Monopods such as the 3006.

It has a single indexed ratchet locking knob for 360 degree pan and a double groove for +90 / -90 degree tilt movements. Camera attachment is via a 2" platform with a 1/4"-20 male thread, and head to tripod attachment is 1/4"-20 and 3/8" female.

I use this with my Manfrotto 3007 tabletop tripod, which I recommend as the most strudiest and rugged tabletop tripod I've seen for the money. The 482's size is a made-match for the tripod, whereas using a stronger ballhead such as the 484 or higher is too big. The purpose of having the 3007/482 combination is size and portability, which it does provide by being able to fit into your back pocket without any large obstrusions, or putting into a side pouch on your hipback/backpack.

When I am carrying more equipment and doing a 'shoot', then I will bring my monopod or full tripod. However, for travelling or when I am using my P&S or DSLR with a small to medium size lens, this ballhead provides the needed stability and weight hold. The -90/+90 tilt is appreciated because I don't have to swing the entire ballhead around 180 degress to tilt my camera to one side or the other - as I used to have to do using an older version of this model.

The milling on the ball and socket are of very good quality providing a smooth, but solid feel of movement. I would have liked a little more robust tensioner, but just for those times when I have a heavier lens (i.e. Nikon 18-200 VR) or when I position the camera at an angle. Otherwise, it always holds the camera in whatever position I rotate/tilt it to. The screw foot fits snugly, without any 'jiggling' action when I let go of the camera to use the remote release.

One minor issue is the material used to build it. It is a metal/resin type of material, and having dropped the tripod occasionally, little chunks have chipped off.

However, for the price and most of all, the size, it has been an excellent choice for me. Of interest, I also bought a Novoflex micro ballhead, mainly because of the beautiful craftsmanship, but it does not live up to the functionality of the Manfrotto 482.